what do you really need when you have a baby? « Back to Group Discussions

[ithappened]

We live in a studio apartment with a big dog and not much space.. I'm trying to remember/come up with a list of what we will really need once the twins come and I am curious what others would change or add...

• car seat(s)
• ergo or stroller
• diapers/wipes
• a few onesies (its summer and very hot here)
• thermometer
• somewhere to sleep (if not co-sleeping)
• food (boob, bottle/pump or method of choice)

Am I missing anything?

[Justmee]

Pretty much what I had for my twins, except I didn't have a stroller for a couple of months (used a wrap and a neighbor lent me a single when I had to go out with both and they were too big to hold both).

I had one crib for both. Didn't use it much, but I didn't actually set up a second crib until they were over 1 and one had the lovely  habit of biting the other.

Try to get ahold of a copy of "mothering multiples." I found it helpful. Oh, also one of those horseshoe shaped pillows (I didn't have a special twin one, just a regular one) was good for propping them both at the same time to get the hang of nursing together.

[Justmee]

Also you will need (but will probably be given) light weight blankets or flat diapers for covering them from the sun, and protection against spitting up, etc.

[ithappened]

justmee- i was wondering if we could get by without a stroller.. we have had 2 people let us borrow ergos and we have an umbrella stroller from DS1.. so I was thinking I might try to get a second umbrella stroller which we could then snap together and use once they have head control.. would that be crazy?
 

[KristyDi]

Originally Posted by Justmee 

Also you will need (but will probably be given) light weight blankets or flat diapers for covering them from the sun, and protection against spitting up, etc.

I was going to say something similar but for swaddling as well.  That helped soo much with DD and getting her to sleep I'd hate to be without something lightweight that was big enough to swaddle a baby.  Especially since there will be 2 of them.

The stroller thing does not sound crazy to me.  Although I seem to remember reading that Ergos and newborns don't work so well together (no personal experience).  That might be something you want to look into.

[sallyrae17]

Originally Posted by KristyDi 

I was going to say something similar but for swaddling as well.  That helped soo much with DD and getting her to sleep I'd hate to be without something lightweight that was big enough to swaddle a baby.  Especially since there will be 2 of them.

The stroller thing does not sound crazy to me.  Although I seem to remember reading that Ergos and newborns don't work so well together (no personal experience).  That might be something you want to look into.

I think there's an infant insert that you can use with the Ergo. I don't think there's anything else you need, honestly. Your older son could walk and you could wear one baby and have the other in the stroller (if you're by yourself). I don't know if you've seen this website, but it has a lot of suggestions for wearing both babes: http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com/twin-baby-carriers.html

I also have a papasan baby chair thing that makes life a little easier while eating dinner. With my son, I just put him in the little chair and was able to eat without holding him. It fit right on my dining room table. Maybe get one or two of those so you can have your hands free sometimes?

[NewMumJoy]

ithappened - your list looks very much like mine, which I've been trying to keep as simple as possible, focusing on what's really needed.

What about a bouncy seat(s), to hold them semi upright while they are awake (which they can nap in as well)?  I've heard these can be helpful if baby spits up a lot....  Do you have a comfortable place for feedings, such as a rocker/glider or enough support pillows?

[ithappened]

newmum- i do have a nursing pillow someone let me borrow with DS1 but hated it with him and never used it.. might be useful this time around however.. 

no comfy places to nurse but the bed, which I suppose counts :)
 

[youngspiritmom]

If you dont want clutter of a baby chair/seat in your studio you could use the stroller(s) as seat(s) when you are eating, assuming you bring them inside.

[folkgirl]

I think your list looks pretty good. I don't know if I would like an Ergo with a newborn, but wraps are great and take up very little room. My children so far have hated bouncy seats, so if I didn't have a lot of space for one I might try to borrow one at first to see if the new baby (babies in your case) like it before investing the money and space in one.

[nudnik]

Yup, the bed does work! I did want a twin nursing pillow really badly, but when I finally got one it turned out to be bulky and a big pain to use. Go figure.

[ithappened]

youngspirit - that would work but we live on the 6th floor of a building with no elevator. So the strollers will stay in the entrance area where the bikes are.
 

[Lizbiz]

I love Ergos - but they don't work for me until my babes are about 4 or more like 5 months old.  I've looked at the infant insert and read reviews and decided to pass.  With newborrns I really like Moby wraps the best - really good back support and I've seen twin holds online.  :)  

I love bouncy seats!  We have a Baby Bjorn bouncy chair and it is a lifesaver.  I like to put the babes in it while I eat supper, especially in the first few months.  I can bounce them with one foot, and eat with both of my hands.  With twins, I think it would be nice to have an automatic swing too - then one baby can be swung automatically if you're handling the other baby or your toddler.  I know that's a little 'geary' - but with three littles, it might be worth it. 

[ithappened]

yeah I was thinking a bouncy seat or swing would be worth the cost.. I remember with DS1 they were total lifesavers till he could/wanted to move on his own.. i might look into those. :)
 

[NewMumJoy]

Originally Posted by ithappened 

youngspirit - that would work but we live on the 6th floor of a building with no elevator. So the strollers will stay in the entrance area where the bikes are.
 

Not to get off topic.... but you are tackling 6 flights of stairs daily?!?!?!  I can hardly get myself up one flight without a break halfway.... omg!!  

[ithappened]

newmum it only really sucks when the 30lb toddler wants to be carried and I have our 90lb hyperactive dog pulling.. or I have a weeks worth a groceries to get up the stairs after walking back/fourth to the store and already having carried them home. Not going to lie, we're in a panic about having 2 babies to add to that mix.. ... Go Europe?
 

[Justmee]

Originally Posted by ithappened 

justmee- i was wondering if we could get by without a stroller.. we have had 2 people let us borrow ergos and we have an umbrella stroller from DS1.. so I was thinking I might try to get a second umbrella stroller which we could then snap together and use once they have head control.. would that be crazy?
 

Ergos and newborns don't work very well together. If your umbrella stroller goes all the way back, you can wear one and push one. I wouldn't want to do that forever, but it shouldn't be an issue for a few months. I wore both of them for a long time (maybe 4 months or so) but A) they were pretty small (born 4lbs 8oz and 5lbs), and B) it was winter, so putting two newborns in a wrap and walking outside did not make me pass out from the heat. 

[NewMumJoy]

ithappened - I will be thinking of you, before I begin to complain about my aches and pains.....

[LeAnn A Doula]

Your list looks pretty good (and a lot like mine). One suggestion - I'm also getting a moses basket. This might be nice for a place to sleep. You could use a rolled blanket to prop baby up, too, and its easy to tote them around. You could have 2 smaller ones or find one larger basket but that may get tougher to move around when they start to get a bit bigger.

[Sol_y_Paz]

What about bathing the baby?   Does one really need special infant/baby tubs?